Portable lamp



y 12, 1 38 R. G. WILLIAMS I 2,123,491

PORTABLE LAMP Filed July 13, 1936 FIE-.5. FIE-.5... 1 15. 1

. E I IBIVENTOR 1 1 Cir. 7. a; flier/ Wf/fiams ATTORNEYS Patented July 12, 1938 I 2,123,491

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFieE PORTABLE LAMP Robert G. Williams, Toledm-Ohio, assignor to The Usona- Manufacturing Co. Inc., Toledo, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application July 13, 1936, Serial No. 90,349"

3: Glaims. (Cl. 240--10.68)

This invention relates to electric lamps and Figure 7 is an isometric view partially in secmore particularly to an electric lamp using a tion illustrating the type of light source supportportable source of energy such as dry batteries i'ng'mea'ns shown in Figure 6;

for the energization of the light source. Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrat- A The invention embraces an improved lamp coriing another modified form of the invention. 5" struction wherein the relative position of its com- The invention is illustrated as embodied in a ponent elements controlsthe' circuit connecting portable electric lamp of the type commonly the source of energy with the light source. known as flashlights but it is understood that I An object of the invention is the provision of a contemplate its use wherever the features offthe 10 portable lamp construction in which the electric invention may be found of utility, It is under- Ill" circuit for the energization of the light source is stood that I do not wish to limit the invention to established by the relative movement of the light the forms shown but that the same are used for source with respect to other component elements illustration purposes only.

of the lamp thus eliminating the use of addition- The invention in one of its general aspects em- Another object of the present invention is a sub-assemblies, one constituting a light emitting simplified novel construction for portable lamps head carrying and supporting the light source, wherein the flow of current is controlled by the and the other an enclosure acting as current conposition of the light discharging head" with reducting and support means for a current source, spect'to the portion of the housing which encloses t tWO u s s be 0 ar a ged that the source ofenergy; and wherein the light dis relative movement therebetween establishes a charging head constitutes a removable unit. C u f t ow of energy r m the Current Further objects of the invention reside i the source to the light source to energize the latter. provision of. a simplified lamp construction hav- R f r in p l rly t Fi r 1 to 5 showing a novel arrangement of its constituent parts 8 an embodiment of the invention, the portable 55 so that positive electrical connections are made p C u on il ustrated comprises two uniwhen energization of the light source takes place. t Sub-assemblies; One eehstitllting the light Further objects and advantages are Withinth'e emitting hea and the other the housing 1' scope of this inv ntion S h a r t t t e enclosure 12 for asuitable source of current. The

elements of the structure, to various details of figuration Closed at one end and preferably ma e construction and t bi ti of parts, of current conductive material of thin cross secments per se, and to economics of manufacture tiOIl Provided With metallic lining rv ng as. and numerous t features as 111 beapparent current conducting means. Frictionally retained from a consideration of the specification and by an annular recess l5folmed adjacent to the drawing of a form of the invention, which may be closed end of the housing I 2 is a resilient member preferred in h or spring l4 having a portion in positive contact Figure 1 is an elevational vjew'of th lamp emu. with the side walls and bottom of the housing i2. bodying the invention with aportion of the hous- The Spring adapted to resiliently, ppo t a 40 ing removed for the purposeof showing the ele- Suitable soilree r Such as d y e s Ni ments which control the energization of the light a IT y engaging the bottom Wall h dry source; a cell housing or one terminal thereof. Theouter. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the lamp shown Wall O the p e d of the u ng i2 is formed in Figure 1; with suitable threads 59' serving as means for al switching means. braces a lamp con'structionincluding two unitary F5 rangement, operation and function of the related ousin 2 is made preferably of tubular 30'- Figure 3 is a fragmentary View showing the poconnecting and retainingin proper relation the 45 sition of the elements of the lamp when the light light emitting head I0 and'housing l 2. source is energized; The light emitting head It is preferably formed Figure 41s a sectional View taken su tantially of a non-conductive translucent material of cap in the-plane indicated by line 44 of Figure 1 like configuration comprising'an end wall por- FO lo ki n -t direction of t arr ws; tion 20 anda dependent tubular portion 2i of Figure 5 is an enlarged isometric view illusa suitable inside diameter for the purpose of surtratingthe type of light source supporting means rounding the housing 52 at its open end portion. and light bulb shown in Figure 1; V I have found that a plastic" composition serves Figure 6-is aviewsimilar to-Fi'gure 1 illusthe purpose very effectively. The inner surface tratingamodified form of theinvention; of the tubular portion 2! of'the light emitting 5s head I0 is provided with threads 22 formed thereon serving as means for connecting and holding in position the light emitting head 10 on the housing I2 thus closing the open end thereof. The light emitting head 10 removably carries adjacent to the end wall portion 2|] a lamp support 24 which in the form shown is supported by engaging the threaded portion 22 and can be adjusted and retained in desired position by said type of connection.

The lamp supporting member 24 is made of thin resilient current conductive material preferably of a V type formation with flat edge portions 25 and 26 provided with a central opening adapted to receive a threaded tubular member 29 for the purpose of removably supporting the lamp bulb 30 carrying the source of light or filament 32 by engagement with the metallic threaded member or base terminal 33. It should be noted that one terminal of the filament 32 is connected to the threaded member 33 while the other terminal is connected to contacting member 35 which is in contact with the central terminal 31 of the uppermost cell I1.

The light emitting head If] is provided at its end wall portion 20 with a conical bore 38 terminating into an opening 45 of lesser diameter than the. diameter of the lamp bulb. When the sub-assemblies are in the position shown in Figure 1, the circuit between the source of current or batteries I6 and I1 and the lamp bulb filament 32 is open and under this condition the central electrode or terminal or the dry cell I1 is urged into positive contact with the lamp base terminal 35 by the action of the spring Hi.

In order to energize the lamp source 32 it will only be sufficient to move either the light emitting head Ill or the housing l2 toward the other. In the form shown, the turning action of either member toward the other will cause the engagement of the end wall of the open end of housing 12 with one of flat portions 25 or 26 of the lamp support 24. The position of these members when the light source is energized is particularly shown in Fig. 3. Whenever the user desires to open the circuit for interrupting the flow of current from the dry cells l6 and I! to the lamp bulb filament 32, it will only be necessary to impart rotation to the light emitting head 10 or housing l2 in the opposite direction so as to disengage the end of the housing l2 with either of flange portions 25 or 26 of the lamp supporting member 24.

In the form of the invention particularly shown in Figures 1 to 5, the lamp supporting member 24 is made of resilient or spring material for the purpose of permitting slight decrease in its maximum diameter which can be accomplished by the compression or movement of the inclined wall sections 4| and 42 in order to increase the facility of assembly and removal of this member upon the light emitting head l0 without the necessity of turning the same with respect thereto. The fiat portions 25 and 26 of the lamp supporting member 24 are made of a suitable angularity or having the proper surface inclination so as to allow a screw thread connection with the inner thread portion 22 of the light emitting head 66 permitting the desired adjustment for proper positioning of the lamp bulb 30 and filament 32 with respect to the end wall 20 of the light emitting head I0.

As hereinbefore described, the flow of current to cause the emission of light through the light emitting head 10 is controlled by the relative movement of the light emitting head ID with respect to the housing l2 which movement is permitted due to the compression of spring member [4 which resiliently supports the batteries l6 and H.

The flow of current for the energization of the filament 32 utilizes a circuit which comprises from the bottom wall of the housing of battery l5 which forms one of its terminals being in direct contact with spring [4 to the bottom of the housing l2 and through the conductive lining or walls thereof to the end of the threaded portion I9 which is in engagement with fiat portions 25 or 26 of the lamp support 24 and through the threaded member 29 to the lamp filament termi-' nal 33, through filament 32 to its other terminal 35 connected to the central terminal 31 of the dry cell l1 serially connected with cell l6.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures.

1 to 5 inclusive, I have found it very effective to use a translucent plastic composition for the light emitting head provided with a central opening with a lamp bulb held in tight engagement with said opening so that an air tight closure is provided for the lamp bulb and source of current. In addition, this type of arrangement emits a direct light beam having a diffused light adjacent to the light source.

Referring to another form of the invention shown in Figures 6 and '7, the lamp construction comprises an open ended metallic casing 50 adapted to receive and enclose a light source in the form of a dry cell 52, having one terminal connected to the housing 56 by means of a resilient member 53 and being provided at its open end with threaded portion 55 on which is supported a light emitting head 56 by means of the threads 58 formed at the inner wall of the tubular section 66 of the light emitting head 56.

The light emitting head is provided at its end wall with a central conical bore 62 terminating into an opening 64 of smaller diameter than the lamp bulb 65. Lamp bulb 65 is supported within the light emitting head 56 by disc like member 66 of current conductive material provided with a threaded tubular member 61 adapted to accommodate and receive the lamp bulb base 68. The lamp bulb supporting member 66 is provided at its peripheral edge portion "H! with threads II for the purpose of mounting the same in any desired position within the light emitting head 56 by utilizing the threads 58. In this form of the invention the member 66 is provided with a highly polished face 12 for the purpose of reflecting any light directed thereto through the light emitting head, thus increasing the light projected by the energization of the filament of lamp bulb 65.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 6 and '7 the current flow which energizes the lamp bulb is controlled by relative movement of the light emitting head 56 with reference to the metallic casing 50 which movement is imparted by the user by screwing or turning the housing 56 or light emitting head 56 toward each other, which movement causes the engagement of the end wall of the housing with the inner wall of the light supporting member 66. In this form of the invention the circuit is also interrupted by unscrewing or turning in the opposite direction the light emitting head 56 or housing 55. The elements which have herein been described as forming circuit connection for the energization of the lamp bulb are also used in this form of the invention.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 8, the portable lamp includes a housing .and a light emitting head 82, the housing in this case being of current conductive material and being connected to one terminal of the battery by the use of a resilient member 83. The housing 80 is also provided with threaded portion 84 on which is threaded the light emitting head 82. In this form of the invention the light emitting head comprises a tubular sulating material having a threaded portion 86 at its inner wall and adapted to support a suitable lens 8'! and a reflector 88, the lens being held in position between an end flange formed on the tubular member and the reflector peripheral edge which has a threaded engagement with the threaded portion 86 of the tubular member 85. The reflector 88 is made of current conductive material and supports a light bulb 98 by engaging a terminal thereof providing a current conducting means adapted to be engaged by the end of the housing for causing the energization of the lamp bulb filament. In thisform of the invention the energization of the lamp bulb is controlled by relative motion between the light emitting head 82 and the housing 80 causing engagement of the peripheral edge of reflector 88 with the end wall of housing 88.

I have shown a threaded connection between the light emitting head and the housing in the embodiments of the invention as means to: provide a quick assembly of the two unitary subassemblies of the portable lamp and as means for providing an easy method of control for the energization of the light source. However, it is to be understood that other connections may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It is apparent that within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A portable electric lamp including a housing having current conducting means and provided with an open end formed with threads; a light emitting head of translucent material having an end wall formed with a central opening and a tubular portion embracing said housing and provided with threads at its inner wall whereby the head engages and closes the end of said housing; a resilient current conducting member engaging the threads of said head and adjustably carried thereby having converging walls and a central opening for supporting a lamp bulb by engaging a terminal thereof, said current conducting member being located in close proximity to the end wall of said housing whereby relative movement between the housing and head will cause the engagement of the current conducting member of inmember and housing current conducting means for establishing an energizing circuit for the lamp bulb; and resilient means contacting with said housing conducting means and adapted to resiliently support within the housing a source of current by engaging a terminal thereof and urging said source of current toward the open end of the housing whereby its other terminal is in engagement with. the other terminal of the lamp bulb and movement between said head and housing serves to flex said resilient means.

2. In a flash light, in combination, a housing having an open end formed with threads and being provided with current conducting means; a non-conductive translucent member having an end wall formed with an opening and having a tubular portion with threads at its inner wall whereby the member is connected for relative movement on said housing and is adapted to close the open end thereof; the walls of said member adjacent to said opening forming a stop and having portions adapted to engage a lamp bulb; a current conducting element adjustably supported by the threaded tubular portion of said non-conductive member for supporting a lamp bulb in engagement with the walls of said member adjacent said opening, the current conducting element serving as a portion of the circuit used for energizing the lamp bulb, the relationship of the non-conductive member and the current conducting means of the housing being such that movement of one towards the other causes the engagement of the current conducting member with the current conducting means of the housing.

3. In a flash light, in combination, a housing having an open end formed with threads and being provided with current conducting means; a non-conductive translucent member having an end wall formed. with an axial bore terminating into an opening and having a tubular portion with threads at its inner wall whereby the member is connected for relative movement on said housing and is adapted toclose the open end thereof; the walls of said member adjacent to said axial bore serving as a stop and having portions which engage a lamp bulb; a resilient current conducting element adjustably supported on the threaded tubular portion of said non-co-n- 

